Fireworks

ARTICLES ABOUT FIREWORKS BY DATE - PAGE 4

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan is moving closer to allowing residents to legally buy more powerful, higher-grade fireworks through legislation advancing in the state Legislature. The state Senate approved a bill Wednesday by a 33-1 vote that would allow an expansion of the fireworks that could be legally bought and sold in Michigan without special permits. The House has passed a similar version of the legislation. The legislation could change the summer routine for state residents who now drive into border states to buy fireworks that aren't legal in Michigan.

The Charlevoix Venetian Festival is known for many things: Top class entertainment, great games, lighted boats, children's games, carnival rides and reunions with friends and family. But perhaps the most enduring image a mention of the festival conjures up is the festival's annual fireworks displays over Lake Charlevoix and Round Lake. But much like the festival itself, there is a whole lot more than planning and preparation to the shows than it might appear at first glance. Crews from Clayton-based Colonial Fireworks Company, who have been doing the Venetian fireworks show for the past 13 years arrived in the area with two 24-foot trucks loaded with equipment and pyrotechnics on Monday.

Warm weather conditions made for a solid three-day weekend of area Fourth of July events with few hang ups and only a moderate dip in tourism from last year, despite higher gas prices and a rainy month of June. AAA Michigan had forecast a slight dip in the number of vacationers traveling for the Independence Day holiday from Thursday, June 30, to Monday, July 4. About 1.2 million Michigan residents were estimated to travel -- a 2.5 percent decline from 2010, attributed to gas prices -- the agency reported.

As Americans mark the July 4 holiday, many of the celebrations locally and around the nation will no doubt culminate with fireworks. Colorful pyrotechnics have become firmly embedded in Independence Day tradition, an association as strong as virtually any other holiday and its respective symbol. But no matter how familiar a part of summertime they have become, we'd like to remind the public that fireworks' flammable and potentially explosive nature requires them to be approached with safety in mind.

Friends, family and visitors are piling into town, the weather forecast looks great and there is a weekend-worth of fun activities ahead. It’s shaping up to be another tremendous Independence Day weekend here in Otsego County, an area which truly showcases itself this time of year. There will be fireworks and barbecues, trips to the beach and lazy days on the lake. And with exciting celebrations taking place at Otsego Lake (Saturday), Treetops (Sunday) and Johannesburg (Monday)

It’s back to Daytona as NASCAR makes it back to the No. 1 track in the series for its second go around. The racing was strange to say the least back in February. I called it tag-team racing, as cars going 200 mph in pairs of two trying to pass the other pairs. It was the darndest thing I ever did see! It was all about the new smooth surface, where cars would basically bump draft all the way around the 2.5-mile oval. The new surface is still here so we could see more of the same tonight (Saturday)

This weekend, area communities will celebrate the red, white and blue with fireworks, parades and other family-friendly events. Here's what's scheduled throughout Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Alanson: At 7 a.m. on Monday, July 4, the Boy Scouts will host a pancake breakfast at the village hall. Parade lineup is at 9 a.m. on Banwell Road and the parade will begin at 11 a.m. Grand marshals this year are Ivan and Mary Jane Chew. Afterward there will be concessions for sale in the park.

A team representing Harbor Springs putted its way to a miniature golf victory against some Petoskey counterparts Friday, giving Harbor Springs the opportunity to launch the first community fireworks over Little Traverse Bay on Monday, July 4. The teams visited Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf on U.S. 31 North in Petoskey for a match to determine fireworks shooting order. Four players per team competed at each hole. After 18 holes, Harbor Springs' stroke tally was 167, compared to Petoskey's 177. Representing Harbor Springs in the game were Scott Herceg, Tom Richards, Jim Connaughton, Reid Masimore and Kevin Meier.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Here is a sampling of Fourth of July celebrations on tap this weekend: Gaylord Saturday, July 2: Otsego Lake Boat Parade begins at 4 p.m., then at dusk, around 10:20 p.m., a fireworks display will be shown over Otsego Lake. Sunday, July 3: Treetops Resort has family games, golf activities, food and beverage specials, live entertainment, 5-10 p.m. with fireworks at dusk. Johannesburg Monday, July 4: The parade begins at 11 a.m., followed by games and festivities at Charlton Township Park.

A team representing Harbor Springs putted its way to a miniature golf victory against some Petoskey counterparts Friday, giving Harbor Springs the opportunity to launch the first community fireworks over Little Traverse Bay on Monday, July 4. The teams visited Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf on U.S. 31 North in Petoskey for a match to determine fireworks shooting order. Four players per team competed at each hole. After 18 holes, Harbor Springs’ stroke tally was 167, compared to Petoskey’s 177. Representing Harbor Springs in the game were Scott Herceg, Tom Richards, Jim Connaughton, Reid Masimore and Kevin Meier.